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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
Steve Johnson, who was reappointed chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in January, recently declared that “100% orange juice (OJ) remains king of the fruit juice category.” Johnson cited information from Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) Director of Economic and Market Research Marisa Zansler about how the beverage category shifted in 2025 compared to the previous year. Despite Johnson …
The Citrus Industry section in the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine highlights evolving strategies designed to sustain long-term citrus productivity. A key theme is industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing, underscored by the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Fort Myers, previewed in this issue. The event’s new venue and integrated format aim to foster deeper engagement between growers, …
Growers association Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) on April 28 called the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of Soilcea’s CarriCea™ T1 citrus rootstock registration “a major milestone.” According to FCM, CarriCea™ T1 is a first-of-its-kind citrus rootstock designed to tolerate citrus greening disease. It works by precisely editing the rootstock’s own genes, disrupting the bacterium that causes greening from interacting with the …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a novel system for large-scale citrus production in screen houses covered with a tightly woven mesh screen on all four sides and the roof. The primary goal of this shift from a traditional open orchard to a CUPS system is to protect citrus crops from huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which is …
Research and field trials have been fairly consistent in showing that trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) will reduce the HLB-causing bacteria in citrus trees, resulting in improved yield and quality. But what happens to the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) when it feeds on treated trees? The answer to that question is becoming clearer now from research conducted by the University …
An overwhelming majority of American farmers responding to a nationwide survey said they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The American Farm Bureau Federation conducted the survey April 3–11. Seventy percent of respondents said fertilizer is so expensive that they will not be able to buy all they need. More than 5,700 farmers, both …
Researcher Ute Albrecht on April 21 shared lessons learned from three years of oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection for HLB management in Florida. Albrecht is an associate professor with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specializing in citrus plant physiology. She works at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Albrecht reported on results of a …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found three commercially available insect species that devour the eggs of the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid. These natural predators could become an important new line of defense against the devastating citrus disease. This is particularly true for organic growers who have limited options to control the psyllid, said …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently provided additional information about the UF-1424 mandarin variety previously known as Greenie. “UF Citrus Selection 1424: A Promising Early-Season Mandarin for Cold-Hardy Regions,” an article by Alaiha Asif, Muhammad Shahid, John Chater and Fred Gmitter, appeared in the April Cold Hardy Citrus Connection. FRESH MARKET SUITABILITY UF-1424 is …
The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute was held at South Florida College in Avon Park last week to share the latest research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Besides hearing presentations, attendees had an opportunity to interact one-on-one with scientists at 21 learning stations covering topics like entomology, citrus breeding, weed control and soil nutrition. …
By Michelle Danyluk, William “Billy” Mitchell, Stephanie Brown, Emmy Collins, Keith R. Schneider and Taylor O’Bannon Most citrus growers have been meeting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) requirements since 2016. However, changes to this rule in May of 2024 now require growers to have an agricultural water assessment (AgWa) for production (i.e., pre-harvest) water. A …
Information obtained through March indicates that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will have activity somewhat below the 1991–2020 average, Colorado State University (CSU) reported on April 9. CSU estimated that 2026 will have: HURRICANE LANDFALL PROBABILITY The probability of U.S. and Caribbean major hurricane landfall is also estimated to be below its long-period average. Probabilities for at least one major …
In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted its annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park. The event is the subject of discussion in the April All In For Citrus podcast episode. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), says the Institute is among the big three citrus …
Numerous U.S. agriculture organizations, including some representing citrus growers, recently sent letters to two U.S. Cabinet members regarding concerns about the federal H-2A guest worker program. LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE A letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requested that the Department of State take action to streamline its portion of the H-2A filing process by expanding interview waivers. …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In the early 1910s, when the promise of drained land and new opportunity was drawing settlers into the interior of what would become Indian River County, one place stood at the center of the excitement: the Indian River Farms Company Demonstration Farm. Set on a 10-acre plot 2 miles west of town, it became both a …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources is soliciting nominations for Class XIII of its two-year leadership development program. The program includes 11 multi-day seminars throughout Florida, the United States and internationally to develop leaders. Class XIII will begin in Gainesville in November. LEADERSHIP GOALS The goal of …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Natural enemies are the beneficial organisms that control insect and mite pests. Citrus trees produce most of their young shoots (flush) for the year in spring and will continue to produce more in summer and fall. Arthropod activity has already started in citrus groves. For example, overwintering Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) adults have started reproducing. Other …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research found that supplemental nutrition mitigates HLB symptoms and improves fruit quality and shelf-life of Sugar Belle and Tango mandarins. Faisal Shahzad, Tripti Vashisth, Mark Ritenour and Jeffrey Brecht, all with UF/IFAS, authored an article in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science about the research. The article …
Citrus and specialty crop growers will have a great opportunity this summer to gather, learn and connect at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is set for Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The annual Expo brings together citrus and specialty crop producers for two days focused on practical education and valuable industry …
In the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center assistant director, discusses demands that the recent freeze and ongoing drought have been putting on trees. Both factors heighten the importance of irrigation and fertilization. Vashisth notes the freeze knocked a lot …
